Who Can Join the World Tourism Organization
WTO has three categories of membership: Full Members, Associate Members and Affiliate Members.
Full membership is open to all sovereign States.
Associate membership is open to all territories not responsible for their external relations. Membership requires the prior approval of the government which assumes responsibility for their external relations.
Affiliate membership comprises a wide range of organizations and companies working either directly in travel and tourism or in related sectors. These include: airlines and other transport companies; hotels and restaurants; tour operators; retail travel agents; banking institutions; publishing groups; consultancies; educational and research institutes; local and regional tourism boards, and travel industry associations. Affiliate membership requires endorsement by the country in which the headquarters of the applicant is located.
WTO is the only inter-governmental organization that offers membership to the operating sector and in this way offers a unique contact point for discussion between government officials and industry leaders. WTO’s broad-based Affiliate Membership participates fully in the organization's activities. It also has its own programme of activities which includes annual meetings and regional seminars on specific study topics.